A day before the country-wide release of the two big Pongal films – Viswasam and Petta, the Ajith-starrer Viswasam lands in legal trouble. The film has been banned from release in Coimbatore, Tirupur and Erode districts.
According to sources, Sai Baba, the film’s distributor in Coimbatore, Tirupur and Erode regions borrowed a sum of Rs 78 lakh from financier Umapathy, and did not repay it. The financier filed a case against the distributor at the Madras High Court, asking for a stay on the release of the film.
The film’s producers Sathya Jyothi Films, appealed to the court to remove the stay. They said that they will pay Rs 35 lakh to the financier now, and the remaining amount will be repaid in the next four weeks. The matter was heard at the court this afternoon by Justice M Sundar.
Meanwhile, theater owners in Thiruniravur of Thiruvallur district are organising a screening exclusively for women as a part of the first day celebrations. It has apparently been Ajith’s wish for years to do something special for his women fans.
Reservations for the film’s tickets began long back. Yesterday, there was news that the Tamil Nadu government has passed a GO for Viswasam and Petta to have five shows, with a special additional show from January 10 to 20. However, the Minister for Information and Publicity, Mr Kadambur Raju has denied these reports, and said no such GO was passed.
Recommended
He also said that strict action will be taken against the theater management if tickets are sold at prices higher than the regulated amount. “As the first step, the theaters will be fined with Rs 50,000 and with Rs one lakh as the second step. Even then if the theater continues to sell the tickets for huge price, the license of the theater will be cancelled,” he said.
Directed by Siva and produced by TG Thyagarajan of Sathya Jyothi Films, Viswasam stars Ajith Kumar and Nayanthara in the lead. Thambi Ramaiah, Bose Venkat and Yogi Babu play supporting roles. Music for the film is composed by D. Imman.